Thousands of families gather for Melaleuca Family Picnic
To express appreciation to its dedicated workforce and celebrate the company’s growth, Melaleuca treated its Team Members and their families to the largest party of the year.
More than 4,000 attendees gathered on the expansive lawn in front of Melaleuca Global Headquarters for The Wellness Company’s popular Family Picnic on Thursday. When everything was set up, the festivities looked like the county fair—complete with helicopter tours, dozens of bounce houses and carnival rides, horses, and many other attractions for all ages.
Melaleuca CEO Frank VanderSloot started this tradition during the company’s earliest days when he gathered the company's seven original employees with their families for a picnic at the park.
Today, the annual event is much larger. While thousands now attend this party, the Melaleuca Family Picnic focuses on maintaining a close-knit family culture like it did in 1985.
“We do this because we’re a family at Melaleuca,” Frank said. “We like to have fun. We like to celebrate. And we want to say thank you to the people who provided everything we have here.”
Jessi Rabadan, an administrator in the International Department, said, “This is an awesome perk from Frank, and it makes me grateful to work for such an amazing company. My family loves going to the picnic every year. It just goes to show how rewarding it is to work for Melaleuca.”
Fun, Food, and Family
This year's event consisted of more than 30 thrilling attractions, such as bounce houses, carnival rides, horseback rides, ziplines, mechanical bulls, rock climbing walls, and games.
One of the highlights was a prize drawing that featured more than 100 items—from camping gear and sports equipment to appliances, electronics, and spa packages. Each employee had their name in the drawing one time for every year they've worked with the company.
The drawing culminated with several grand prizes that included exotic vacation getaways, big-screen televisions, and furniture sets.
Melaleuca's Chef and restaurant staff served up a hearty all-you-can-eat buffet that included 16 smoked pigs, BBQ beef sandwiches, hot dogs, potato salad, and fruit medley. In addition, attendees young and old enjoyed all the cotton candy, snow cones, drinks, and popcorn they could want.
Additionally, 168 employees and family members were rewarded with an exhilarating helicopter ride around the city of Idaho Falls.
“Besides the food, unlimited treats, and games, the Melaleuca Family Picnic is a great opportunity to meet your teammates’ families and interact with them in a relaxing, fun environment,” said Sonia Schuetz, a Spanish language editor.
Special events
Melaleuca's calendar is full of employee events designed to show appreciation for the company’s workforce.
In addition to the Melaleuca Family Picnic, other activities include a free day at the zoo, a free evening of baseball at Melaleuca Field, 5K/10K fitness runs, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, a golf scramble called the MelaMasters, and a large Christmas party filled with top entertainment and gifts. For Halloween, children and grandchildren of Melaleuca's Team Members come in costume to Melaleuca's Global Headquarters for an elaborate trick-or-treating experience.
Besides all these activities, the most anticipated event happens every November, when employees receive loyalty and long-term contribution bonuses for simply hitting landmark anniversaries every five years with the company.
Throughout the last decade, Melaleuca's loyalty rewards program has paid over $17.5 million to more than 1,000 Team Members with the vision that any employee who saves and invests the bonuses and contributes to Melaleuca's 401(k) program can retire with $1 million in the bank.
“It’s our goal that all Melaleuca employees will retire as millionaires,” Frank said. “Even the janitors will retire as millionaires if they simply follow our program.”
A Great Employer
Recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of America's top employers, Melaleuca has developed a company culture that attracts top talent from around the world.
In addition to fostering a work environment where employees feel like they are part of a family, The Wellness Company offers one of the most attractive benefits packages in the region.
Benefits include health, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) program with employer match, paid vacation, an on-site restaurant, access to a company gym, and a $90 monthly product certificate.
To search for job openings, visit melaleucajobs.com.